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Editorial Reviews

The compelling story of Koko, a gorilla, who must deal with her grief when her kitten dies. All ages. (June)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 1-4 The cover photo alone is all that is needed to ``sell'' this bookthe smallest, most delicate of kitten profiles in the massively careful embrace of a glistening gorilla, whose bare-knuckled fist is four times the size of the diminutive feline's head, and whose face radiates tenderness. Koko is one of a number of great apes in various experimental communication programs and is remarkably conversant in American Sign Language, used by hundreds of thousands of hearing-impaired people. With her linguistic skill, she asked for, and finally received, the small, tailless tabby kitten she promptly named All Ball. This brief, moving book records Koko's relationship with her pet. All Ball was groomed, played with, cuddled and loved, and never once showed fear of her large foster-mother, outlandish though she might seem to feline eyes. The growing relationship was cut horribly short by All Ball's death beneath the wheels of a car, and Koko's grief is dramatically recorded on film. Fortunately, Koko was given the opportunity to have another kitten, and chose a second tailless Manx. In a happy new beginning, she is shown cuddling ``Lipstick.'' In beautiful color photos, and a brief accompanying text, Patterson and Cohn let readers see beneath the glossy fur, the heavy brows and the animal shape to the gentle mind that wanted something to love and be loved by. An empathy-building book of high degree. Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, N.Y.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

A true story of the gorilla named Koko who was taught sign language and more than anything wanted a cat. His teacher is scared that Koko will harm any real cat, so she gives him a fake one for Christmas and Koko is devastated. After much sadness she decides to try and see how the a real cat and Koko would interact and finds that Koko is a loving animal owner. This is a wonderful touching story for kids of all ages!

t1bclasslibrary on LibraryThing

5 months ago

This story talks a little bit about Koko the gorilla in general, but focuses on her desire for a kitten and her relationship with her first kitten, All Ball. Koko wants a kitten very badly, and immediately falls in love with All Ball, a manx who loves Koko back. When All Ball dies, Koko is very lonely and wants a new kitten, and is greatful when she finally gets Lipstick, another manx.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Scarlett-MediaSpecialist

More than 1 year ago

This is a NON-fiction book, unlike what previous reviewer said. It is a true story. Koko is alive and well as of this writing, and you can follow her to see what she is up to now by going to www.koko.org. So much more has happened with Koko since this book was first published in 1985. When you go to the website, you can choose to receive more information on The Gorilla Foundation. We wrote the foundation and received a calendar with more pictures and info about Koko. My students also enjoyed following this story with the Reading Rainbow video.

LisaAnn58

More than 1 year ago

We used this book for my daughter's first fiction book report. She really enjoyed it as did I. She shared the book with the children in her class and they were surpised that it was a true story.

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